Tensioning attachment for loom shuttles



Feb. 13, 1962 M. D- WATERS 3,020,934

TENSIONING ATTACHMENT FOR LOOMSHUTTLES Original Filed July 28, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I IN V EN TOR. mar l Wm? flrraewws Feb. 13, 1962 M. D. WATERS TENSIONING ATTACHMENT FOR LOOM SHUTTLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed July 28, 1958 IN VEN T 01 1am 22m BY United States Patent ice 3 Claims. (Cl. 139-200) This invention relates to a tensioning attachment for loom shuttles, and has particular applicability to the type of shuttle provided with a central opening wherein there is positioned a bobbin wound with filling to be laid off in the cloth shades or warp. I

This application comprises a substitute for my application Serial No. 750,539 of the same title, filed July 28, 1958, now abandoned.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of a tensioningattachment positioned within the opening of the shuttle for maintaining constant tension which is evenly maintained on the filling regardless of the quantity of filling remaining on the bobbin.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of the invention it may here be pointed out that in the employment of shuttles of this character it frequently occurs that with no tension applied to the filling the same is laid in the cloth shades under varying degrees of tension in accordance with the quantity of filling remaining on the bobbin, that is, with a full bobbin the filling is laid relatively loosely, permitting the cloth to weave at its greatest predetermined Width, but as the quantity of filling is reduced to the point where the bobbin is nearly exhausted increasing tension is exerted thereon, thus resulting in a narrowing of the cloth weave as the contents of an individual bobbin are progressively exhausted. This results in several defects know in the trade as gapped selvage, broken warp ends," .irregular widths, or the like. It is a very important object of the invention to obviate the above and other defects, as well as to eliminate the necessity for special winding devices or the like.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a tensioning device, which, by improvement in the quality of cloth woven, reduces the number of replenishing operations necessary for a given quantity of woven material.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which will make a substantially perfect selvage on an end wind shuttle for a webbing loom.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means in association with such tensioning device for adjusting the tension applied to the filling, thus permitting extreme precision in the widths of the cloth being woven.

It is a further object of the invention minutely to control the tension exerted on the filling evenly and constantly throughout the entire weaving operation of a given bobbin.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of one form of shuttle embodying the tensioning device of the instant invention, certain portions of the latter being indicated in dotted lines.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, showing the attachment of the instant invention applied thereto.

3,020,934 Patented Feb. 7713,, 1 962 FIGURE 3 is airenlarged side elevational view of the tensioning attachment disassociated from the shuttle.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the tensioning device as shown in FIG. 3.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the tensioning device of FIG. 3 as viewed from the right.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6'-6 of FIG. 4 as viewedin the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4 as viewed in the direction indi: cated bytthe arrows, a d

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-=- 8 of FIG. 4- as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows. Y

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout'the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, there is generally indicated at 10 aconventional loom shuttle, provided with a central opening 11, at one end of which is positioned a conventional hanger 12 which is adapted removably to receive the end 13 of a bobbin or butt 14; upon which is wound a cone of filling 15, the apex of the cone pointing in a direction away from the hanger 12, and extending substantially entirely across the central opening 11. A single strand of thread 16 is drawn from the blunt apex of the filling cone 15, and, after passing through the constant tensioning device of the instant invention, generaliy indicated at 17, and to be more fully described hereinafter, passes through an elongated opening 18 and the top of the shuttle to be laid in the cloth shades or warp to effect the weaving operation.

The tensioning device 17 of the instant invention comprises a substantially L-shaped member, having a leg member 19, which is adapted to be secured to one end of the opening 11, this being the end adjacent the apex of the filling cone 15, by means of suitable screws 20 or the like which extend through counter-sunk openings 21 in the leg 19.

Integral with the leg 19 is an angularly disposed leg 22, which extends across the opening and is angled upwardly across the end thereof leaving a space 23 between the top of the leg 22 and the associated rounded top corner 24 of the shuttle for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter.

The leg 19 is provided with a first eye 25, which opens in the plane of the opening 11 and through which the thread 16 passes to be guided to a second eye 26, which depends from the underside of the leg 22. As best shown in FIG. 4, the eye 26 has a substantially V-shaped bight 27, which serves as a guide for the thread 16. The thread 16 then passes through a third eye 28, which, as best shown in FIG. 5, is substantially U-shaped, at which point tension is applied thereto by means of a flat leaf spring 29, the opposite end of which is secured as by means of screws 30 to the underside of leg 22 adjacent its juncture with the leg 19. Spring 29 is provided with a slightly upturned end 31 at its free end portion, to prevent fouling of the thread 16. After passing through the eye 28 the thread then extends through a fourth eye 32, and is thence directed through the opening 18, as previously described.

The end of leg 22 is upwardly curved as indicated at 33 and closely engages the top of the opening 11 to prevent possible fouling of the thread 16.

The tension exerted by the spring 29 may be varied by means of a screw 35, which extends through a nut 36 which is fixedly secured to the upper side of leg 22, with the head 37 of the screw 35 being positioned in the space 23, to permit adjustment thereof as may be necessary for exerting the proper tension on the leaf spring 29.

It will thus be seen that the thread 16 remains under constant tension effected by the spring 29, which tension may be suitably varied by the adjustment of the head 37 of screw 35, regardless of the quantity of filling 15 remaining on the bobbin 14,- -and that by this means the elfective continuous weaving of a cloth of constant uniform width may be achieved.

It will also beseen that there is herein provided a tensioning attachment for loom shuttles which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance. 1

As many embodiments maybe made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that-all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A tensioning attachment for loom shuttles of the type having a central opening, a top wall and side walls surrounding said opening, a bobbin attached to one inner wall of said opening and extending horizontally across said opening, a thread outlet opening in the top of said shuttle from which a single thread of filling is fed from said bobbin, said attachment including a substantially L-shaped plate having'a leg mounted on the other inner side wall and another leg extending from the latter said inner wall to the inner top wall, a closed eye mounted on the leg mounted on said inner side wall and a plurality of closed eyes mounted on the leg extending from said inner side wall to said inner top wall through which a single thread of filling is adapted to pass, and spring means bearing against the inner surface of one of said plurality of eyes, said thread being adapted to pass between said one of said plurality of eyes and said spring means.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said spring means comprises a leaf spring having one end attached to said plate.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein means are provided for varying the tension of said spring means against the inner side of said eye.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 537,015 Camagni Apr. 9, 1895 898,102 Hauvette Sept. 8, 1908 1,093,713 Meunier Apr. 21, 1914 2,319,864 Holmes May 25, 1943 

